“Making It Count”
It is not often you have an opportunity to speak with decisiveness and clarity, but there is such an opportunity looming ahead. The upcoming primary election will set not just tone, but a clear direction for our community, state and nation. Indeed, the results could reach out to the rest of human society.
There are choices that only you can make, and I believe you have a Christian responsibility to register them at the ballot box. Elective offices are being defined from the local level all the way to who will occupy the White House. (It won’t be me – I’m running for the county line!) All of us have preferences and convictions as to who should represent us in elective office, and you need to go and let your vote be counted. Don’t sit back and just let things take their course when Christians should have an impact on their world, not the world having an impact on them.
The North Carolina Constitutional Amendment regarding marriage is a clarion call for believers to define what constitutes marriage in North Carolina. In a day when marriage is falling out of favor, and many are choosing not to set the boundaries of their relationship, we have a rare chance to say this is what we believe God intended marriage to be. I want to urge you to vote FOR this constitutional change. It is a hill worth defending.
Don’t spend your time in endless debate or argument about these choices. Speak your truth in love and then go and cast your vote guided by your convictions.
Many won’t vote because of the time involved, long lines and their schedules. These are no longer legitimate reasons for not voting. Our elections officials have made it possible to vote early at several polling sites throughout the county, and this year they will be open on Saturdays and even one Sunday afternoon! If that still does not work for you, check into absentee voting and mail your ballot.
This election is simply too important to ignore or excuse away. It is time to make it count. I’ve said it before, “If you don’t go and vote, don’t complain about what you get.” Go and enjoy one of your greatest rights. Go vote.
Blessings,
Dennis
Spring Session Highlights
In the Spring Session held on April 24, 2012, the messengers heard reports and took actions on three items:
· The north end of the Missions Resource Center (Conference Center) will be named the James Wing following the announcement that an anonymous gift has been given to the Association in honor of Earl and Janice James of Marshville.
· The establishment of the Clyde and Belvin Hawkins Scholarship Fund to help support the Fruitland Monroe Campus students.
· Announcement of a Benefit Breakfast on behalf of
Rev. Tommy Butler, long term pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, to assist in covering his medical expenses. The breakfast will be at Euto Baptist Church, Saturday, May 19, 2012, 6:00 am to 10:00 am.
